Whoohoo. Finally got the GS500 (and a whole lotta noob questions)

[SeriousGeorge]

I posted about a bike I was looking at a while back in a previous post here:http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=23673.0. I was finally able to pick it up. Other than a dent on one side of the tank and some scratches on the other side this thing looks really good for a 15 year old bike. The "broken" tachometer was fixed by screwing the cable back in. Moving from my old bike to this one is a night and day difference. Coming off a 25 year old, 200cc, 4 speed bike with skinny, rock-hard tires this bike feels incredible. Anyone who thinks the GS is boring needs to spend a little time on something like my old bike to appreciate it. 

I've got a couple questions. It looks like there is a small plastic panel missing above the tail light between the two plastic body panels. The previous owner put some duct tape over it. I've got a picture below. Is this part still available? Think I'd have any luck finding a used one on ebay? Does the GS500F use the same piece or did they change it?

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/Nedblog/GS500/back.jpg

There's a bracket on the throttle side fork that I can't figure out what it's for. There is a matching one on the clutch side that has seems to be holding the speedometer cable. It's probably obvious, but what is this? Here's a picture (You can also see my fork seals look like crap. Maybe I'll do the progressive spring fork upgrade while I'm at it.)

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/Nedblog/GS500/bracket.jpg

The bike seems really sensitive to the choke settings. Even after it seems like it should be warmed up it will die if the choke is all the way off. If it's on even a little too much it will rev to something like 4 or 5 thousand rpm. There seems to be a tiny little window where it will idle normally. From what I've read so far it sounds like this is just the ultra lean factory jetting and going a little richer is needed.

The ignition key is different than the tank and seat. Is that the way they came or did a PO probably change out the ignition at some point?

I didn't find a whole lot of informaton on handguards while searching. I want to add those and heated grips. My hands are the only part of me that's getting cold and I hate having to wear really bulky gloves. Has anyone tried the Powermadd guards? They look pretty good and I like that you can have them vented or have a larger extension on them to block more wind.

http://www.powermadd.com/products/starserieshandguard.html

I'm sure I'll be bugging you guys more in the future as I start working on it. Now if the rain would just let up for a bit. At least this bike handles and brakes a lot better in the rain than the old one did.

[SeriousGeorge]

OK, I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I can eventually figure things out on my own. I was sitting here after posting my message and realized that there was a small fairing included with the bike. (looks like maybe a factory one?) Looks like that's what the brackets are there for.

[dgbernstein]

Congratulations!!

Looks like a great project bike.

[3imo]

congrats !!! on the new bike.  There are plenty of sites and smart people in this forum, to help you get r done.

Check out Starwalt's site. It's just pics but they will get your blood pumping about restoreing your beauty.

For parts (small plastic piece above brake light) try Ronayers.com or bikebandit.com
if you can't get it from a member. I believe Alpha still has parts from the 92' he wrecked.

Your carbs definitely need a rebuild.  cheapest kits I found are here www.partsnmore.com  $15 apiece.
The clymers book will definitely help.

check your tank for rust.  Starwalts site shows how to tackle a rust problem.

I assuming your gonna be the wrench turner. (only a wrench turner could see the beauty in that bike)
Welcome to the GS world!!  I rebuilt my 99 from the ground up, and am currently working on an 01' (wrecked)
hell, I might be buying a 95 today also.

I'll be glad to help anyway I can. As will many others here in GSTWIN land.

take pics and keep us posted of your progress.

good luck

[3imo]

also, http://www.gstwin.com/gs_info.htm

here you will find "fiches"   (whatever)  detailed blowups of all the parts for a GS. 

GStwin.com is great. but it never changes. I read the whole site like a million times already.

and checkk out the links as well.

[manofthefield]

I know what you mean about appreciating the GS500, I started out on a '65 Yamaha 80cc bike

I've got a couple questions. It looks like there is a small plastic panel missing above the tail light between the two plastic body panels. The previous owner put some duct tape over it. I've got a picture below. Is this part still available? Think I'd have any luck finding a used one on ebay? Does the GS500F use the same piece or did they change it?

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/Nedblog/GS500/back.jpg

You can sometimes find that piece on on ebay, or as 3imo mentioned from a retailer or other used source.  You need the tail section centerpiece from an 89 to 00 gs500e.  The newer bikes have a different tail section (as well as a few other things). 

I think a touchy choke comes standard on these bikes.  Like you mentioned, their cold blooded nature (lean from factory) makes it interesting to warm up. 

Yes, all three keys should be the same, so your PO did change something

I've been considering handguards for a while too.  Never seen that site before, so thanks   Let us know if you get those hand warming mods installed

IMHO, Your forks look a bit rough, so clean them up and make sure there are no burrs, etc. that would just ruin new fork seal right away, though if the current seals aren't leaking, it's probably not a problem

And finally... Good luck!

[scratch]

The bike seems really sensitive to the choke settings. Even after it seems like it should be warmed up it will die if the choke is all the way off. If it's on even a little too much it will rev to something like 4 or 5 thousand rpm. There seems to be a tiny little window where it will idle normally. From what I've read so far it sounds like this is just the ultra lean factory jetting and going a little richer is needed.

It takes a while for these bikes to warm up fully (like 15 minutes), but usually we use the throttle to keep the rpm's up until then.  You can use the choke for a minute or two, but you really want to turn it off after that, so you don't foul the plugs.

The ignition key is different than the tank and seat. Is that the way they came or did a PO probably change out the ignition at some point?

Yep, sounds like the PO had to change the ignition (probably due to an attempted theft).

I didn't find a whole lot of informaton on handguards while searching. I want to add those and heated grips. My hands are the only part of me that's getting cold and I hate having to wear really bulky gloves. Has anyone tried the Powermadd guards? They look pretty good and I like that you can have them vented or have a larger extension on them to block more wind.

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=13493.0
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=22110.msg215924#msg215924

Now if the rain would just let up for a bit. At least this bike handles and brakes a lot better in the rain than the old one did.

Riding in the rain is one of the best ways to learn how to be smooth with your steering and throttle inputs!

[SeriousGeorge]

Thanks a bunch for the info guys! I'm not much of a mechanic, but I'm working on learning more. The motorcycle is a lot less intimidating than the car to work on. I'm not sure if I'm going to work on the cosmetics or just work on getting all the mechanical stuff up to date. Looks like I'll be doing chains and sprockets soon. The chain tension is too loose and when I get that adjusted I'm going to be on the last mark on the swingarm.

[gsmetal]

I'd be curious to see more photos - in particular a whole bike shot would be nice.

I'm sure this isn't politcally correct but I'm going to ask anyway: How much did you pay for you?

How many miles are on it?

[SeriousGeorge]

gsmetal,

I've got a couple shots from the previous owner here:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/Nedblog/suzukigs_1.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f19/Nedblog/suzukigs_2.jpg

It's got just over 16k on it and I paid $550. The color isn't my favorite, but it's growing on me a little bit. If I ever decide to pretty it up it's going to get painted another color.

[3imo]

I gotta say this is the easiest Japanese bike I've ever worked on.

Great bike to hone your skills on.  THe Clymers book will help alot.

Be sure to keep safety #1, though.  Always assume you did something wrong.  I mean when you do something and put her back together,
don't jump on and jam hells bells down the road. be careful and smooth be sure shes working properly at low speeds, first.

I know its common sense but, common sense is not so common.

good luck. and post pics of your progress, share what you learn.